Eifman Ballet – Rodin – San Francisco
The choreography looks like a steroid-fueled hybrid of Graham-based agony and the precision and fluidity of classical ballet. …nothing succeeds like excess…
International Ballet Festival 2013 – Dance Open – St Petersburg
The 12th International Ballet Festival – Dance Open – was held over 4 days in St Petersburg. Margaret Willis (our Ms Expressivity) was there to report on much ballet and not a little award giving…
Nadia Nerina and Isabel Rawsthorne exhibitions at the Royal Opera House
Rawsthorne was painted by André Derain and Pablo Picasso, and later by Francis Bacon. She was the inspiration for Alberto Giacometti’s etiolated sculptures of walking figures…
Natalia Osipova to join The Royal Ballet
Full press release, plus useful resource links, pictures and a video to remind us all why she is so good…
Happy Birthday Nina Ananiashvili
A tribute to Nina Ananiashvili – with personal memories – on her 50th birthday.
Russian Ballet Icons – Nijinsky Gala – London
Though this year it was Nijinsky’s turn to be reclaimed as a Russian icon, the contents of the gala had little to do with him. Very probably the choice of items – mainly pas de deux – depended on which dancers were available to perform whatever was in their repertoire.
Mariinsky Ballet – Gala – Baden-Baden
The Mariinsky Ballet’s annual Baden-Baden tour is something of a balletomane’s winter retreat and, with mild weather to boot over Christmas, provided yet another opportunity this season to catch up with the St. Petersburg company.
Australian Ballet – 50th Anniversary Gala – Melbourne
It was a program that harkened back to the big international Galas of previous years, as well as a nice reference to the company’s first years, when artists including Sonia Arova, Erik Bruhn, Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev guest-starred.
Mariinsky Ballet – Swan Lake – San Francisco
That said, the company is still on top form. The corps de ballet is flawlessly unified technically, stylistically and musically down to their eyelashes.
Mariinsky Ballet – Cinderella – Washington
Ratmansky’s vision of Cinderella is bracingly fresh, and the ballet’s harsh, urban setting and grotesque choreography seem suitably attuned to Prokofiev’s darkly sardonic score. His concept, however, does not succeed completely.
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (Trocks) – Mixed bill (very) – Paris
The Cuban schooling of Hopuy is impressive and his variation was expertly danced, including the trademark Cuban flicking over of the take-off leg in a jeté en tournant…
American Ballet Theatre – New Ratmansky, Symphony #9 – New York
Tonight’s premiere of Ratmansky’s newest work for American Ballet Theatre, Symphony #9, was cause for celebration. In fact, it left me feeling almost lightheaded, and terribly eager to see it again, as soon as possible.
Maria Kochetkova – San Francisco Ballet – Principal
Who are your favorite choreographers? 1. “Christopher Wheeldon. He picked me for the first ballet I had created on me .. and I have worked with him on every single work he has done since I joined SFB.”
Yuri Possokhov – San Francisco Ballet – Choreographer in Residence
The best thing about being at SFB is that I got to work with so many choreographers. It inspired me so much.
San Francisco Ballet – Primer and London Season Preview
Aimée Tsao, watching San Francisco Ballet for over 35 years now, with a general primer on the company and some thoughts on the repertoire they are bring to London in September 2012…
Bolshoi Dancers – Napa Valley Festival del Sole – San Francisco
I don’t regret spending two afternoons in the warm sun before the unbelievably early performances ( 6 and 6:30 curtain times), but overall, the dancing, no matter how artistic or technically accomplished, is seriously hindered by the productions and/or venues.
Paris Opera Ballet – Giselle – Washington
With its exquisite staging, and most importantly with its understanding and respect of the Romantic ballet style, and whole-hearted dedication of the dancers to their roles, the Paris Opera Ballet demonstrated just how Giselle should be produced and performed.
Bolshoi Ballet – Coppelia – Washington
The Bolshoi’s new Coppelia was heavenly fun. Vikharev’s production brought to the fore the Russian ballet tradition of expressive pantomime and spirited ensemble dances.
San Francisco Ballet – Don Quixote – San Francisco
Kochetkova and Domitro, together and separately, dance extraordinarily well. They don’t have the elusive chemistry that she has with Boada, but they still are very much in tune with each other, both musically and artistically, and make a very satisfying partnership.
Mariinsky Festival – Diana Vishneva bill – St Petersburg
A highlight of the Mariinsky Festival this year was a performance dedicated to the Mariinsky prima ballerina, Diana Vishneva…
